Australian envoy welcomes Gurdwara Council of Victoria statement

India

Staff

Posted By: Staff

Published: Monday, February 1, 2010, 18:25 [IST]

Subscribe to Oneindia News

New Delhi, Feb.1 (ANI): Australia's High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, has welcomed a statement by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria on investigations into the fire that broke out at the partially completed Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar Sikh temple on Evans Road in Lynbrook in Melbourne on January 13.

"As I have mentioned before, Australia is committed to bringing to swift justice the perpetrators of attacks on members of the Indian community. The statement by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria acknowledges that the Victorian police have been highly cooperative, diligent and professional in carrying out their investigation of the first," Varghese said.

"I would once again urge everyone to allow investigations to run their course and not to jump to conclusions based on initial reports. The statement issued by the Gurdwara Council noted that although investigations have not uncovered any race or religion-related motive behind the fire at the temple, the investigators are keeping an open mind as they proceed with their investigation," he added.

Police are currently investigating circumstances leading to the fire. They said three Molotov cocktails and a jerry can containing petrol were found by authorities inside incomplete building of the temple.

Victoria Police Constable Stow, who is in charge of the investigation, said the fire was being treated as suspicious but detectives were yet to establish whether race or religion had motivated the arsonists.

Raj Singh, a representative of the temple, said the authorities from the City of Casey, CFA and Victoria Police have been extremely cooperative in their investigations. (ANI)